Lisbon Portela Airport, also known as Lisbon Airport or Portela Airport, is an international aerodrome located 7 km northeast of Lisbon city centre, the capital city of Portugal. The airport acts as the main gateway to Portugal. By serving 29.006.042 passengers in 2018, it became the 20th largest airport in Europe in terms of passenger volume and recorded an increase of 8,8% compared to the previous year. As of 2017, the airport broke its own record in this field by carrying 115,7 thousand tons of cargo. The airport is the European hub of Brazil and Africa, and also acts as South America’s largest European Star Alliance hub.
The aerodrome is a hub for low-cost carriers Ryanair and EasyJet, as well as the main hub for Portugal’s flag carrier TAP Air Portugal, including its subsidiary TAP Express. The airport is also the hub for Azores Airlines, EuroAtlantic Airways, Hi Fly, Orbest and White Airways. The airport is operated by ANA Aeroportos da Portugal, which was granted concession to the French group Vinci Airports in February 2013.
In January 2019, the Portuguese government announced a 1,1 billion Euros (1,26 billion USD) plan to expand Lisbon’s existing airport and build a second one in Montijo. With this project, it is aimed to transport approximately 50 million passengers per year starting from 2022. There are areas within the airport for the use of private aircraft charter companies.
Lisbon private jet charter prices
Although Lisbon air charter fees depend on variables such as the number of passengers, departure airport, flight time, aircraft position, flight date, the prices for private jet charter from Istanbul → Lisbon are as follows.
| Light Jet | 25.800 EUR |
| Midsize Jet | 33.200 EUR |
| Heavy Jet | 41.100 EUR |
These prices are average amounts and you can contact us on our flight reservation screen or by phone for the most accurate price information.
Brief history of Lisbon Airport
The aerodrome opened on October 15, 1942, during the World War II and initially operated in conjunction with the Cabo Ruivo Marine Aircraft Base; Seaplanes made transatlantic flights and passengers were transferred to continental flights departing from the new airport. As a neutral airport, Lisbon Airport was open to both German and British airlines and was a hub for people to use on intra-European flights plus escapes.
The classic movie Casablanca, which revolves around the attempt to escape from the Lisbon airport, tells the events that took place during the war. The airport was heavily followed by spies from many countries during the World War II period. Although Portugal was neutral, the airport was often used in those years by allied flights to Gibraltar, North Africa and Cairo.
At the end of the war, the aerodrome developed rapidly and was used by major airlines such as Air France, British European Airways, Iberia, KLM, Sabena, Pan Am and Trans World Airlines until 1946. Thanks to this density, the number of passengers of the airport reached 100.000 in 1954.
Major improvements from 1959 to 1962 included a new runway capable of handling first-generation jets such as the Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8. The first jet plane flight was made by Air France Caravelle in 1960. In this period, the use of private jet charters was also effective at the airport. In 1962, the runway 03/21 was put into operation. This 3130 m long runway was very important as it allowed direct transatlantic flights.
The first direct flight to New York was operated by TWA in 1970 with the Boeing 707 operating the Boeing 747 service. When TAP fulfilled the order for 747s in 1972, five large parking lots were built on the premises and the terminal was significantly enlarged. A major upgrade to buildings and facilities was started in 1983, and the first airlifts were added to the facilities in 1991. The concessions of the airport to support civil aviation, as well as the airports in Porto, Faro, Ponta Delgada, Santa Maria, Horta, Flores, Madeira and Porto Santo, were granted to ANA Aeroportos de Portugal on December 18, 1998, in accordance with the provisions of the decrees. With this concession, ANA becomes the company responsible for the planning, development and construction of future infrastructure.
One of the rare in-city airports
The airport is one of the in-city airports, which is a rare sight in Europe. This has led to a national debate about maintaining the existing location or building a new airport. As a result of these discussions, Alcochete was chosen as the new airport area. The relocation of the military base located here was planned, but the contract was shelved and rejected outright as part of Portugal’s cost reduction measures. The plans were modified in July 2013 as investment from Portugal’s transport strategy plans focused on expanding and further developing the existing Lisbon Airport infrastructure.
In November 2006, operating company ANA Aeroportos de Portugal charted an expansion route for some airport structures to respond to current passenger traffic growth trends. As a result of these plans, new boarding gates for Terminal 2 in August 2007 and Terminal 1 in 2011 were put into service. A new metro de Lisboa station, which was put into service in 2012, was opened and the transportation network was expanded.
Today Terminal 2 is used by 6 low cost airlines to travel to European destinations, while Terminal 1 handles all arrivals and regular scheduled and charter flights. In October 2010, European low-cost airline easyJet officially opened a new base at Lisbon Airport and used Terminal 2 for departures to just 20 destinations.
Various structural and equipment improvements and expansions were made at Lisbon Airport between 2007 and 2013. These include the construction of Terminal 2, lighting and baggage claim renovation, new cargo facilities, fuel tank, north pier and boarding hall, north bus gate and baggage claim, expansion of express cargo facilities, electrical renovations, departure hall renovations, and metro station and other terminal improvements. As part of the definitive solution for Lisbon Airport, a new commercial area was opened in the Terminal 1 airside area in July 2013, with 20 new stores and ample natural light recirculation areas. In July 2015, a significantly larger food court began serving more tastes and flavors.
Lisbon Airport is one of the airports with the most developed transportation network
Trains to all parts of the country are available at Gare do Oriente, the main train station in Lisbon. The airport is connected to the station by metro in about 10 minutes. Alternatively, visitors can reach the city centers by bus, taking into account slightly longer travel times.
Aeroporto Metro station is located at the southern edge of the Terminal 1 arrivals area. The Aeroporto Saldanha line takes approximately 20 minutes to reach Lisbon city centre.
Carris in-city buses stop at the airport arrivals area and connect to Marqu of Pombal Square and Amoreiras. Night routes go to Baixa city centre, to the train stations Cais do Sodré and Gare do Oriente.
Aerobuses prepared for travel with large luggage operate daily between 07:30 and 23:00 in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Aerobuses connect the airport to a number of key points in the city centre, including the Sete Rios bus and train terminal, and it is possible to reach the Entrecampos, Cais do Sodré and Rossio rail terminals this way.
Lisbon city taxis operate 24 hours a day outside the airport’s arrivals and departures areas, and the journey by taxi to Lisbon city center takes approximately 15 minutes. The airport is easily accessible from many major highways and roads. ANA operates many indoor and outdoor parking lots. Valet service, car rental and chauffeured limousine services are also available 24 hours a day on the premises.
Places to visit in Lisbon
Lisbon, one of the first cities when it comes to European cultural tourism, is the pearl of Portugal. One of the must-see points in the city is the Belém Tower, which stands out with its gothic architecture. São Jorge Castle, Alfama District, Lisbon Oceanarium and Jerónimos Monastery are among the tourist attractions.
Lisbon cuisine generally consists of dishes prepared from seafood. Cervejeria Ramiro, Shrimp in Butter, Sand Mussels are among the must-taste flavors unique to Lisbon.
